Reached 1600 MW mark of installed capacity

Vantaa, Finland  September 17, 2009 – The Switch, a provider of megawatt-class permanent magnet generator (PMG) and full-power converter (FPC) packages for wind power and other new energy applications, has just achieved more than 1600 MW of installed capacity for wind turbine power generation, built in only three years. This installed capacity matches that of the Olkiluoto nuclear power plant, on the west coast of Finland, which has taken already four years to build and is still under construction.

Bringing new capacity online quickly

As the world seeks to produce 20% of its power by renewable energy, a concern will be how quickly new capacity can be fully up and running. Wind and solar power change the game in the power production industry, since they offer the possibility to bring new capacity online fast. The 1600 MW installed capacity already achieved by The Switch is similar to that planned of the Olkiluoto nuclear plant. However, The Switch accomplished this capacity in only three years.

State-of-the-art technology from companies like The Switch will continue to increase annual production from renewable energy sources and significantly decrease the payback times for these investments. The Switch has chosen to focus its offering on an optimized PMG and FPC package, called The Switch Drive™, which has been specifically designed for maximized wind power generation and complete grid compliance.

This year, The Switch has been busy implementing its Model Factory concept and running multi-site production with partners to meet the growing volume demands. In addition, the company has spent time educating utilities on the use of power electronics equipment for future power generation.